Vroum Vroum Mag misses Kempton for Leopardstown bid

Star mare Vroum Vroum Mag's festive period will feature a run over three miles, rather than two, after trainer Willie Mullins did not declare her for the 32Red Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Monday.

Instead, the seven-year-old, who suffered her first defeat since joining Mullins in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle last time, will run in the Grade 1 Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on Wednesday.

Monday's cards

"Because of the stormy weather and possible difficulties in getting her to Kempton, we decided to keep Vroum Vroum Mag at home and the plan is to run her in the three-mile Grade 1 hurdle at Leopardstown," Mullins said on Friday.

Her absence leaves a field of five at Kempton, headed by the JP McManus pair Yanworth, who will be partnered by the owner's retained rider Barry Geraghty, and My Tent Or Yours, who won the race in 2013.

The New One and Ch'Tibello also run, as does 63-rated Gray Wolf River, who is a 1,000-1 outsider.

Kempton's card also includes the Grade 1 32Red Kauto Star Novices' Chase, formerly run as the Feltham, which has attracted ten runners, while Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Jenkins will line up in the opener, which his Nicky Henderson-trained stablemate Altior won 12 months ago.